A low number of T Cells along with
a measurable viral load results in a weakened immune system. Remember,
T-cells are the generals prepared to defend your body against all types
of invaders. Fewer T-cells mean less resistance against diseases. Therefore,
other diseases that have been kept from harming you by your immune system
may take the opportunity and attack your body, now that you have lower
resistance. That is why these diseases are called Opportunistic Infections
or simply {OIs}. The lower number of T-cells the higher susceptibility
to OIs.
The occurrence of
some OIs can be prevented or delayed by the use of prophylaxis therapies.
Prophylaxis means that you are taking medicine in advance in order to
avoid getting a disease that you still do not have--and do not want to
have.
Several different infections are considered OIs in people with HIV. Most
of the population of the world has been exposed to at least some of these
infections but the normal immune system keeps them under control.
Among the infections that have already been identified as OIs are Herpes,
Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia (PCP), candidiasis, toxoplasmosis, and
Cytomegalovirus (CMV), MAI OR MAC infection. Some types of cancer are
also associated with a weakened immune system and perhaps co-infection
with other viruses, including lymphoma, cervical cancer and Kaposi's Sarcoma also called KS
we have listed a
glossary for understanding the difficult medical terminologies, and more
over a quiz for better understanding of Opportunistic Infections